Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrived in Islamabad for a three-day visit focused on strengthening the bilateral strategic partnership with Pakistan. The visit includes high-level discussions on trade, energy, and cultural exchanges, amid declining trade figures from the previous year. Key agreements are anticipated alongside events honoring significant cultural contributions and leaders.
The Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has officially arrived in Islamabad for a three-day visit, aimed at revitalizing the strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan. Upon his arrival at Nur Khan Airbase, he was welcomed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Accompanying Prime Minister Anwar is a prominent delegation, including several ministers responsible for foreign affairs, international trade, transport, and religious affairs. On the initial day of the visit, Malaysia’s Foreign Minister engaged in preliminary discussions with his Pakistani counterpart, Ishaq Dar, preparing for the formal meeting between the two Prime Ministers scheduled for Thursday. The discussions will focus on enhancing cooperation in various domains, including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and tourism, while reinforcing cultural exchanges and fostering interpersonal relations. Since establishing their strategic partnership in 2019, the two nations have continuously sought ways to strengthen these ties. A significant aspect of their forthcoming discussions will include regional matters of common concern, particularly the ongoing Palestine conflict, the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and the broader evolving situation in the Middle East. Following their meeting, both Prime Ministers are poised to witness the signing of two noteworthy agreements: a memorandum of understanding between Matrade and the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan, and a cooperative letter between the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. Additionally, during his visit, Prime Minister Anwar will launch three translated works of Allama Muhammad Iqbal in Bahasa Melayu, deliver a lectures at the National University of Sciences and Technology, and receive an honorary doctorate in philosophy. Prime Minister Anwar is also expected to meet former President Asif Ali Zardari, who will present him with the Nishan-i-Pakistan, Pakistan’s highest civilian honor. Despite the evident commitment to enhancing bilateral relations, trade figures from 2023 indicate a decline to $1.4 billion from previous amounts, highlighting the need for renewed collaboration. The Malaysian Foreign Office remarked that this visit holds considerable potential for strengthening the bilateral relationship between Pakistan and Malaysia.
The strategic partnership between Malaysia and Pakistan has been in place since 2019, with a shared focus on improving collaboration in trade, cultural exchanges, and addressing regional issues. The two countries have a historical relationship characterized by mutual cooperation in various fields. Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s visit is crucial in this context, as both nations aim to explore new pathways for collaboration, particularly in light of recent trade statistics indicating a decline that necessitates revitalized economic engagement. The discussions will provide an opportunity to address significant regional matters and reinforce the diplomatic ties that have existed historically between the two nations.
In conclusion, Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s three-day official visit to Pakistan signifies an essential step towards reinforcing the long-standing relations between Malaysia and Pakistan. With key discussions focused on vital areas such as trade and regional issues, the visit not only aims to address the recent decline in trade figures but also seeks to enhance cooperation across multiple sectors. The outcomes of this visit could significantly shape the future trajectory of bilateral relations between the two countries, fostering greater collaboration, understanding, and shared progress.
Original Source: www.dawn.com
